INSIDE THE BEARS.

Stomach Pull Sidelines Robinson

July 26, 2000|By John Mullin, Tribune Staff Writer.

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — The losses may only be temporary. But they were enough to send shudders through the Bears Tuesday as two players counted on as key contributors left practice early with health problems.

Wide receiver Marcus Robinson will miss perhaps a week after straining a stomach muscle Monday and feeling continued discomfort Tuesday. Defensive end Phillip Daniels left practice with a migraine headache, a problem that forced left tackle Blake Brockermeyer to miss a game last year.

Robinson said he knew something was wrong earlier in the week but did not think it serious until he stretched Tuesday and felt a pull.

"Obviously if we make an error it will be on the side of caution," said coach Dick Jauron regarding how long Robinson will be out. "To have the number of guys we have just watching practice really is disappointing. They're not helping us; they're helping themselves. But that's the nature of training camp."

Daniels took himself out of practice at one point but appeared to have no lingering effects later.

"He's dealt with them before so we'll just go on," Jauron said.

New `Fridge'? In a play reminiscent of handoffs and throws to William Perry, backup center Casey Wiegmann was the star of the Bears' first full-contact goal-line offense, lining up at fullback and flaring out of the backfield to catch TD passes from Cade McNown and Shane Matthews. The Bears like the matchup the 290-pound Wiegmann gives them against linebackers on running plays close to the goal line, but he has good hands and is expected to be used as a receiver this season.

"It's a set we put in for those situations and we hope it works out," Wiegmann said. "I'll have to look at the film," center Olin Kreutz deadpanned. "I didn't know he had moves."

The Bears would prefer to run the ball in close but recognize that there is a built-in disguise when Wiegmann is in the backfield with another running back.

"It's hard as a defensive back or coverage person to look back there and think that guy's a pass receiver," Jauron said. "You just can't make yourself take it real seriously until he burns you a couple times."

Extended: Offensive coordinator Gary Crowton has agreed to a one-year contract extension, through the 2002 season, with a pay raise. Crowton remains among the leading candidates for possible head-coach job openings for next season.All coaches were offered contract extensions. Defensive coordinator Greg Blache has not agreed to his, and special teams coach Keith Armstrong previously said he would let his contract expire to evaluate other opportunities.